Pros react after Alexander Volkanovski TKO's Movsar Evloev at UFC 333
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UFC legend Amanda Nunes thinks that the delay in her Kayla Harrison superfight taking place wound up being a good thing.
At UFC 334, Amanda Nunes will attempt to make a successful return to the cage when she challenges Kayla Harrison for the UFC women's bantamweight championship. It will mark the first time that Nunes has competed in the promotion since summer 2023, when she defeated Irene Aldana before vacating her title.
RELATED: Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: “It's going to come down to the takedownsâ€
This fight was actually supposed to go down back at the start of the year at UFC 324. However, Harrison was forced to withdraw from the contest due to persistent neck injuries, leading to surgery and an inevitable delay in the bout going down.
In a recent interview, Amanda Nunes opened up on what the delay did for her, as well as why she decided to take a break in the first place.
Amanda Nunes discusses delay to Kayla Harrison superfight
“Giving me more time was better – definitely,†Nunes told MMA Junkie on Wednesday at UFC 334's media day. “Being here in New York is amazing. I want to fight all the places in America. Every time – Vegas, Vegas Vegas. I want to go somewhere else. When I found out it was supposed to be here, I was so happy.
“It's the circle of my life. I came to New York when I was 20 years old to chase this dream, and now I'm going to fight in New York. It's awesome. This is amazing.â€
“The time off was amazing for me,†she said. “It's not like I lost my belt and was out of shape, losing fights, bad with my career – I left at the top. I'm not here today as a challenger. I'm here today as a double champion still. The break was very important for me – like your job: Sometimes you need a break to reset your life, to reset everything and come back stronger.
“This is exactly what happened with me. I needed a break. I did the break at the right time … My mind, my body, my soul – I needed a reset.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Who are you backing to pick up the win this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
Dumont also revealed that she has received an offer from another
mixed martial arts promotion to compete for a title, as well as
another offer to compete in boxing. The 36-year-old admits the
boxing offer is more lucrative and she's seriously considering
taking it.
“I'm here to announce my official departure from the UFC,†Dumont
said on Instagram. “I want to say that I'm very grateful for all
these years — it was eight years with them, it was wonderful for
me, it's where I built my career, it's where I built my financial
life, I changed my life and the lives of the people around me, I
met Marco Tulio, so for me it was something incredible that made me
very happy for many years. But I think now I need to breathe in new
places… I still had two fights left on my contract with the
organization, but since before my last fight, when there were still
three fights remaining, I already had information that the UFC
probably wouldn't renew once those fights were over. So, I had
already agreed with Marco that I would retire by the end of next
year, maybe sooner, because we want to build our family… And we
came to the conclusion that it's time to breathe different air, and
we’ve already been approached by other opportunities. One is in
MMA, fighting for a belt, and another is in boxing. Both offers are
very good, but I confess I'm more inclined toward boxing. It would
be an incredible opportunity and I think you'll see me in boxing
next year. Financially, it's worth it, and I think I'll have a lot
of fun. Since I got this offer, I've even been excited to get back
to training, but for now I still can't give any details. I leave my
thanks to the organization and to the fans.â€
Dumont made her UFC debut in 2020 and went 9-4 in the promotion.
“The Immortal†exits the UFC on a two-fight skid. She most recently
suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ailin Perez
this past September, which she believes she won.
Jon Anik will continue as an
Ultimate Fighting Championship commentator for the foreseeable
future.
UFC and its broadcast partner Paramount+ have announced that Anik
has signed a multi-year extension to continue as a UFC play-by-play
commentator. Anik says there is no other organization he would
rather work with than the UFC.
Jon Anik’s 15-year UFC commentary career continues
Anik is one of the UFC’s most respected commentators. He signed
with the promotion in 2011 and quickly grew into a trusted
commentator known for his enthusiasm and meticulous research. His
new deal kicks off at UFC
334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Thanking the athletes and sharing his excitement for the future,
Anik said via a press release:
“I am beyond grateful for these last 15 years with the UFC. I've
had the chance to learn from and work with so many talented people.
There is no live production team in all of television that I would
rather go to bat for and I will never take this seat for granted.
Eternal thanks to the MMA athletes, who fight and train so hard and
allow so many of us fans to work in the sport we love. I am so
excited to be a part of what this monster organization does moving
forward.â€
“I am so excited to be a part of what this
monster organization does moving forward.†@Jon_Anik talks
extending his incredible 15-year run calling the action for @ufc ⤵ï¸
https://t.co/RvA79La8f2
Josh Hokit was in rare form during the UFC 334 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, including his outfit that featured a pair of goggles and an athletic cup as he prepares to face Ciryl Gane in the main event.
Of course both props were taking aim at Gane's history with fouls — in particular the eye poke that ended his fight against Top Aspinall that ultimately put him on the sideline and cost him the heavyweight title.
Hokit eventually took off the goggles for a little closer look at Gane as they prepare to battle for the belt on Saturday.
Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes also shared a rather intense faceoff on Thursday as they prepare to go to war for the UFC women's bantamweight title.
During the press conference, Harrison promised to offer Nunes an immediate rematch at 145 pounds so she could potentially take that title from her former teammate as well.
Nunes touted her double champ status throughout the press conference as she reminded the world that she never lost her belts before retiring and leaving the sport for the past three years.
Check out the full faceoffs from the UFC 334 pre-fight press conference in the video above.